7 News Belize

Belmopan OC Overseeing Bridge Repair
posted (November 24, 2017)
Four men died in less than 24 hours on the St, Margaret's Bridge last weekend. In total there were three accidents on the bridge - where, in all three cases, vehicles plunged off the embankment into a creek below. Last night on the news, you saw Ministry of Works CEO Errol Gentle say blame the drivers, not the road or the bridge.

Taking a slightly more compassionate approach, today the Belmopan commander - who is responsible for policing that stretch of road - said that urgent upgrades of the signage and reflectors will soon be completed:...

Supt. Howell Gillett - O. C, Belmopan Police Station
"Accidents, yes indeed some of them might have been caused because of speeding or unfamiliarity with the area but also or attendant to that they needed some addressing of the signals and the different signage before the approach of the bridge and that is being done, I believe either today or tomorrow the Ministry of Works has pledged to complete the rails to both approaches of the bridge and that would render it better for road users. But we still ask people not to drink while driving and we still ask people to respect the speed limit for villages which is 55 miles per hour and if you are unfamiliar with an area it is best you drive with caution. I believe those accidents could have been prevented if the things that I referenced earlier were adapted on those days."

Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"Is there anything that you could have done earlier? We had one accident on Friday night where one vehicle did fall off the bridge; you can see the vehicle right around nearby. And then we had the second accident which was fatal. Should your department have been more proactive?"

Supt. Howell Gillett
"I don't think the best fix would have been to place a police because the police could have been injured or could have died too. But yes more patrols could have been done. We did, but we have limitations so we couldn't be there 24 hours per day. But of course, with the work that is being done now, I believe the bridge will be much safer. The signs, I am told, will be put up at least a hundred yards before the approach of the bridge and then the rails will have reflective stickers. So those things I think will help."

The works will be completed tomorrow.

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